Hoel Gård: A Tranquil Escape to Norway’s Historic Lakeside Farm

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Hoel Gård is a large historic farm estate idyllically situated on Nes Island along the shoreline of Mjøsa—Norway’s largest lake.

Hoel Gård is a little over an hour from Oslo Airport and about one hour and 40 minutes from Oslo city center by train to the closest station, Brumunddal, followed by a 15-minute taxi ride. I recommend asking the hotel to assist with booking a taxi.

The farm focuses on using local produce in its kitchen, with many of the ingredients sourced directly from its gardens.

Its bucolic charm, along with the serene surroundings, makes it a perfect getaway.

Dinner was a set course served on the spacious outdoor terrace overlooking Lake Mjøsa, which provided a stunning view of the sunset. The meal was communal, with all guests seated at a single table, creating a warm and interactive dining experience. The waitress thoughtfully introduced each dish, adding a welcoming touch to the evening.

I had trout mousse for the starter, accompanied by pickled carrots and cucumber, fresh dill, and toasted pumpkin seeds. The mousse was creamy and fresh, with the pickled elements adding a nice tang. It was a simple yet refined dish—a great way to begin the meal.

The main course featured sous vide steak served with hollandaise sauce, grilled carrots and onions, and baked baby potatoes. The grilled vegetables were naturally sweet, while the baked potatoes had a satisfying balance of sweetness and starchiness. However, as someone who prefers their meat well done, I felt the steak was undercooked to my liking. I did not enjoy the soft, raw texture, but I could tell it was a high-quality dish that others might appreciate.

The meal concluded with a delightful chocolate brownie paired with sorbet. The brownie was soft, chewy, and rich in chocolaty flavor, while the sorbet provided a sweet and sour contrast that perfectly balanced the dessert’s sweetness. It was a satisfying end to the evening.

Tingnesvegen 581, 2350 Nes På Hedmark, Norway

Fiskeriet Youngstorget

Fiskeriet Youngstorget is a popular seafood restaurant and fish shop in Oslo, renowned for its fresh and high-quality seafood. Located in the vibrant Youngstorget area, it offers a cozy and welcoming atmosphere where patrons can enjoy a variety of seafood dishes or purchase fresh seafood to take home. The restaurant takes pride in sourcing its ingredients sustainably.

The snow crab was absolutely delicious. It was fresh, delicately sweet, and subtle in flavor. The sweet, tender crab meat paired perfectly with the rich, smooth butter and warm, aromatic garlic. The way it was broken up made it easy to extract the meat.

The fish was too thick, with a crust that wasn’t crispy and became soggy quickly. It also had a slight fishy aftertaste. While the fries were good, unfortunately, the fish was disappointing.

Fiskeriet Youngstorget

Website: https://www.fiskeriet.net/
Opening hours: 
Monday – Friday 11.00 a.m. – 22.30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 12.00 p.m. – 22.30 p.m.
Address: Youngstorget 2b, 0181 Oslo, Norway

A Cozy Bite at Koie

Koie Ramen is a straightforward, no-frills ramen shop that offers friendly service and solid comfort food. The menu features eight different types of ramen and four sides. I decided to try the Shoyu ramen (soy sauce ramen).

I prefer my ramen noodles softer than al dente, and Koie Ramen is the only restaurant that has met this preference. The attentive waitress even asked how many extra minutes I wanted my noodles cooked, and they came out with the perfect texture.

The broth was light yet flavorful, balancing sweet and salty notes, while the chashu pork was tender and satisfying.

Koie Ramen is a great spot for a quick and simple meal.

Koie Ramen

Website: https://koieramen.no/
Opening hours: 

Monday to Friday – 11:00 a.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday – 12:00 p.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Address: Osterhaus’ gate 13, 0183 Oslo, Norway

Masala Politics

Masala Politics isn’t your typical Indian restaurant that centers on a single regional cuisine. Instead, it offers dishes from various parts of India, bringing diverse flavors to the menu.

As soon as you enter the restaurant, you’re welcomed by the fragrant aroma of Indian spices.

The open kitchen faces the entrance, and you can see the entire staff and cooks, all of whom are Indian.

One notable detail is that the waiter asks about any food allergies before taking your order.

They also offer gluten-free naan, which I’d never encountered at an Indian restaurant.

The owner makes rounds, personally checking in with each table to ensure everything is satisfactory.

While waiting for my food, I was served a light snack: papadum accompanied by mango, mint, and coconut chutneys.

I opted for a mango lassi, which was pleasant but slightly too thick and sweet, overshadowing the yogurt’s flavor.

I ordered two dishes:

  • Samosa Chaat: Punjabi-spiced potatoes, green peas, honey yogurt, tamarind, mint, and chickpeas.
  • Dosa: Crispy fermented rice pancake served with sambar, coconut, and tomato chutney.

The Dosa had a perfectly crispy outer layer with a soft interior, but it lacked the tanginess of a fermented batter. There was also an excessive amount of ghee. The sambar was pleasant but could have used more depth of flavor, and the chutney was a bit too salty for my liking.

The Samosa Chaat was flavorful, but it had too much sauce and was a bit too sweet for my palate.

Overall, the food was good, though a bit too sweet for my taste, as I’m more accustomed to savory flavors. Still, it’s a worthwhile spot if you’re in the mood for Indian cuisine.

 

Masala Politics

Website: https://www.masalapolitics.no/meny
Telephone: +47 96737320
Opening hours:

Monday to Saturday 15:00 p.m. – 23: 00 p.m.
Sunday 15:00 p.m. – 22:00 p.m.

Address: Karl Johans gt. 13, 0154 Oslo, Norway

 

Cozy Japanese-Inspired Café

Hakone Coffee is a minimalist coffee shop with a Japanese-inspired design reminiscent of cozy cafés in Japan. Conveniently located just a five-minute walk from Oslo Central Station, it’s the perfect spot for an early morning start, opening at 7 a.m. on weekdays.

The café offers a range of coffee drinks and traditional Japanese teas like Hojicha and Matcha. You’ll also find a selection of pastries for a light breakfast or salads and sandwiches for a simple lunch. The staff are welcoming and friendly, adding to the pleasant atmosphere.

I ordered a flat white and a pistachio croissant. The flat white was rich and bold, with a smooth, creamy top and a slight bitterness. The croissant was beautifully flaky, topped with a nutty pistachio coating, and filled with a sweet, creamy pistachio filling—a delightful pairing with the coffee.

 

Hakone Coffee

Website: https://www.hakone.no/ 
Opening hours:

Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. – 18:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday – 9:00 a.m. – 17:00 p.m.

Address: Storgata 23c, 0184 Oslo, Norway